LET YOUR LIGHT “SO” SHINE – Pastor Chris
Friday, June 29, 2018
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
If the Master had only said, “Let your light shine before men…,” that would have been beautiful, but He emphasized the intensity by including the adverb, “so.” He wants you to shine with blazing intensity. He wants men to see your good works and glorify your heavenly Father. Also notice that He didn’t say, “I’m going to make your light so shine”; rather, you’re the one to make it happen!
Even Prophet Isaiah didn’t allude that God is the one to make your light shine”; he said, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1). You’re the one to arise, and shine! It’s like what we read in Romans 12:11 (AMPC): “Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.” What a counsel!
Again, we observe that the responsibility is yours to fan your zeal aglow. God is telling you what you can do. If you couldn’t be aglow and burning with the Spirit, He wouldn’t ask you to do it. He’s telling you to do it because He’s given you the power, the ability, to do it.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world….” Your response should be, “Yes, Lord, I’m a light in a dark world, and my light shines everywhere.” Act on the Word. Act on that idea God has placed in your heart, and bring God’s vision to pass! Get busy. Do something that’ll impact and improve the lives of those around you.
If you’re a student for example, beam the light of the glorious Gospel in the academic world! If you’re a businessman, a policeman, a soldier, a politician, a fashion designer, a lawyer or an athlete, impact your world! Change your environment. Through your light, others will see; their lives will be improved; they’d be plucked out of darkness, confusion, poverty, sickness and death. Make a difference in your world by making impact with the Gospel.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the special privilege to be a blessing to my world, a light in a dark world, bringing blessings, illumination and meaning to the lives of many with the Gospel. My light shines so brightly, causing your glory to be revealed in, and through me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 5:8; 1 Peter 2:9; Philippians 2:14-15
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN Acts 14 & Nehemiah 11-13
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN 2 Corinthians 10:8-18 & Isaiah 18
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